Ceremony starts Watford Plaza construction

March 8, 2013

WATFORD CITY - Minneapolis-based Oppidan Investment Company, a national property development firm, held a construction ceremony at its Watford Plaza retail development in Watford City last week to celebrate the beginning of construction at the site.

Watford Plaza is a 120,000-square foot commercial development that will include Cash Wise Foods, Alco and Happy Rice Buffet.

During the ceremony, Oppidan also presented a check for $10,000 to the Watford City Chamber of Commerce to help fund development of the Wolf Pup Daycare Center, a state-of-the-art child care facility that will be located in the new affordable housing community of Wolf Run Village and which will provide daycare services for up to 200 children.

Attending the ceremony were Watford City Mayor Brent Sanford, North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson, McKenzie County Job Development Authority Executive Director Gene Veeder and Chris Coborn, president and CEO of Coborn's Inc.

"Oppidan has become a key community player in Watford City's continued growth," said Sanford. "The retail development they are bringing to our small town rival developments in North Dakota's largest cities. In the short time they have been here, Oppidan has demonstrated its commitment by building a much needed apartment complex and donating $10,000 toward our new 200-child daycare center. We are very pleased to have them here to help us provide the goods and services needed by the influx of new workers and families."

Watford Plaza is one of two developments Oppidan currently has under way in Watford City. The company began construction in October of Pheasant Ridge Apartments, a 42-unit apartment complex that will open in May. Oppidan has a number of additional real estate interests throughout North Dakota, including planned or completed residential and commercial developments in Minot, Dickinson, Stanley, Tioga and Williston. In total, Oppidan is investing more than $150 million in North Dakota's Bakken region.

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Gables II apartment complex opens

WILLISTON - The Gables II, a 36-unit three-story apartment complex, has opened in Williston, said officials from the Minneapolis-based Oppidan Investment Co.

The Gables II is located at 3209-2nd Ave. E.

Construction began on the building in August and concluded in February. This is the second of two planned apartment complexes Oppidan developed in Williston. The Gables I, located at 3315-2nd Ave. E., opened in November 2012.

The Oppidan is also in the process of building a 42-unit apartment building in Watford City as well as retail developments in Watford City, Dickinson, Minot, Stanley, Tioga and Williston.

"We're thrilled that construction is now well under way on this much-needed retail development in Watford City," said Joe Ryan, president of Oppidan. "North Dakota's population is growing exponentially right now, and providing residents with the services and housing they need is critical. We're pleased to be a part of Watford City's and North Dakota's success."